Train traffic halted after fire
Train traffic between Norrköping and Mjölby was halted yesterday evening due to a fire at the track area, according to the Swedish Transport Administration (Traffikverket). The Stockholm-Malmö route also cancelled trains and had delays.
There are also several cancelled trains between Stockholm and Gothenburg on Thursday and Friday, SJ writes on its website.
Some departures are being replaced by buses.
If you're planning to take a train today, check its status via Traffikverket or SJ.
Swedish vocabulary: spårområdet ‒ the track area
Quarterly figures show strong boost for Volvo Trucks
Truck manufacturer AB Volvo has reported an operating profit of 13.5 billion kronor for the second quarter. This can be compared with a profit of 10.0 billion kronor in the corresponding quarter last year, which was better than expected, according to Bloomberg.
"A very strong quarter for the Volvo Group, not least given the circumstances in the world with a lot of concern and uncertainty," CEO Martin Lundstedt told Swedish newswire TT.
DON'T MISS: The Local Games – find the Swedish word in WordroW and crack the daily sudoku
Turnover rose to 126.3 billion kronor, compared to 122.9 billion kronor a year earlier.
“The second quarter of 2026 shows the strength and adaptability of the Volvo Group,” CEO Martin Lundstedt said in a comment in a press release.
“The improvement was broad-based, with vehicle sales up 6 percent and service sales up 7 percent organically,” he added.
Net truck orders rose sharply, to 63,412 from 47,761 trucks in the second quarter of last year. Truck deliveries rose to 55,687 from 52,764 trucks.
Swedish vocabulary: lastbilstillverkaren ‒ truck manufacturer
Grass pollen risk throughout the country
There is a high or heightened risk of high grass pollen levels throughout the country. In addition, grey pollen is starting to spread in the south.
Many grasses are still blooming. This means there is a heightened risk of high grass pollen levels throughout Götaland and Svealand as well as in most of Norrland, according to the Nordic National Museum's website Pollen Report.
In a small part of northernmost Norrland and in the mountains, the risk is also increased.
The pollen levels can be high, especially in dry weather, and in areas next to tall grass.
In addition, the flowering of grey pollen has begun. There is a locally elevated risk of high levels of ragweed pollen in Götaland and parts of southern and central Svealand.
In the rest of Sweden, there may be a small risk of high levels near flowering ragweed.
The current forecast is valid throughout Friday.
Swedish vocabulary: förhöjd ‒ heightened, elevated.
Fire risk in large parts of the country
The warm and dry weather has led to a high or extremely high risk of ground and forest fires in large parts of the country.
The fire risk is very high to extremely high in southern Sweden and up to Dalarna and Gästrikland. Along the Norrland coast and inland Norrland the risk is assessed to be high or very high, as well as on southern Gotland.
Swedish weather agency SMHI meteorologist Marie Stark said people should be aware that fires can easily start and spread quickly in forests and on the ground.
"Check if there is a fire ban in your area and exercise caution," she said.
By the weekend the fire risk may decrease.
"A few showers are starting to move in over Götaland and Svealand where the risk is greatest. More extensive rain is expected on Saturday and Sunday, which will reduce the fire risk," said Stark.
Swedish vocabulary: brandrisken ‒ the fire risk.
Government to investigate impact of the manosphere on young men
The Swedish Gender Equality Authority has been tasked by the government with investigating whether boys and young men are negatively affected by the image of masculinity and relationships in social media, among other online forums.
Young men and boys risk being exposed to destructive values and polarising ideas about women in the so-called manosphere on the internet, which can affect their mental health and views on gender equality and pose a risk of violence, believes Minister for Gender Equality Nina Larsson of the Liberals.
"Boys can encounter content that glorifies suicide, ridicules mental illness, and creates an almost obsessive fixation on appearance, muscles and status. This becomes a problem not only for girls and women but also for boys and men," she told Swedish newswire TT.
The investigation will also look into computer games and other online forums where such content may be spread.
Swedish vocabulary: manosfären ‒ the manosphere.